Scruffy's innings at an end?

A long-treasured feathered friend of Fakenham cricket supporters appears to have flown the nest, permanently.For many seasons a blackbird who was nicknamed Scruffy because of his dishevelled appearance, despite many moults, was an ever-present at Highfield Lawn.

A long-treasured feathered friend of Fakenham cricket supporters appears to have flown the nest, permanently.

For many seasons a blackbird who was nicknamed Scruffy because of his dishevelled appearance, despite many moults, was an ever-present at Highfield Lawn.

He ignored balls flashing to the boundary and running fielders to continue his search for juicy morsels.

On non-match days he was always near those tending the ground.

But the habit which had cricket fans shaking their heads in disbelief was to hop into the clubhouse after teams' teas to peck at the sandwich and cake crumbs dropped on the floor.

He was first missed at the tail end of last season, and has not been seen since.